A Colorful Alternative

Graphics novels.

When you hear those two words, chances are your mind immediately goes to comic books. Batman and Robin, The Green Lantern, Superman, Deadpool. There are a few major differences between what we think of as comics and what are classified as graphic novels.

Comics are released as a continuation. One publication has the same story as the previous one, but it advances the plot a little bit further. Graphics novels are entire stories in one large chunk. For this reason, while comics are generally released in small serials, graphic novels are released in lengthy books. Both comics and graphic novels use a combination of pictures and text to communicate their ideas, but, in graphic novels, these ideas are often more mature and literary, while comics tend to be more commercial in their goals.

Because of the false association many people have with graphic novels and comic books, graphic novels tend to be looked down upon as a literary form. I think that this is a shame. Not only do graphic novels posses the same literary power that novels do due to their text, but they in fact have increased potential because they have the added dimension of pictures. If anything, graphics novels are able to convey much more complex emotions and ideas than novels can.

I have read a few graphic novels, and I can think of two off of the top of my head that are perfect examples of excellent works of literature. First, is the 3-part series Maus, by Art Spiegelman. This novel tells the story of a holocaust survivor through the allegory of animals. The Nazis are cats, the Jews are mice, the Poles are pigs, and so on. This is an incredibly powerful tale, and it is written in a gripping style. However, if the story were solely text, the effect that is created with the animals would not be nearly as effective.

Another graphic novel is Watchmen, by Alan Moore. This is one of the most thought-provoking works I have ever read. The story is far too complex to outline, and the characters are far too dynamic to describe, but Alan Moore was able to create a world that the reader can identify with, which is quite a feat for an author to successfully accomplish. The added effect of the visuals to this work adds a great deal to the reader's understanding of the characters and the story. This graphic novel truly makes you stop and think, and I cannot recommend a better read for a curious mind.

All in all, I hope this makes you somewhat interested in the world of graphic novels, as they are sadly under-appreciated in today's culture. If you are interested in reading either Maus or Watchmen, I have both and can lend them to you. I have also heard that Batman: The Long Halloween is another excellent novel, though I haven't read it myself.

Below are just two examples of the kind of deep questioning that Watchmen in particular ponders.